Geeks

[Earl Snake-Hips Tucker]

IIRC, originally, a geek was a carnival performer who would eat all sorts of disgusting things.

Somewhere, that meaning got lost, and now it's accepted as a synonym for "nerd."

Any ideas where this started?

The first time I ever heard of it was on (gulp!) the TV show "Facts of Life."

(What can I say--I liked "Jo.")

[Lumpy]

WAG: That by extension from the original meaning of the word "geek" (a person who behaves in a sub-human manner), it came to mean a person so socially inept and personally clueless that they routinely say and do things that brand them as social outcasts.

[ChiefScott]

Though of obscure origin, the word "geek" may have come from the Middle Low German geck, meaning fool.
Now, pass the chicken heads...

[mangeorge]

"IIRC, originally, a geek was a carnival performer who would eat all sorts of disgusting things."
---Mjollnir
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Oh, a programmer! :)
Peace,
mangeorge

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Work like you don't need the money.....
Love like you've never been hurt.....
Dance like nobody's watching! ....(Paraphrased)

[Nickrz]

A geek, I think, would prefer you pass him an intact chicken.

[Inky]

I seem to remember the term "geek" came into use in American slang because of a little toy that was a fad in the late 70's early 80's called "The pencil necked geek".

It was a weird rubber skinned thing filled with silly putty that popped it's eyes and lips and ears when squeezed.

Last time I saw one was on an old Pee Wee Herman comedy show.

Inkz

[mangeorge]

Hey, I remember those popeyed chickens. Cool, Inky.
Peace,
mangeorge

[aseymayo]

It's such a cool word, it would have been a pity to waste it on such a small set of individuals (those who bite the 'eads off small live creatures, such as whippets). I don't know why or how it was resurrected, but I'm certainly glad it was - it's just fun to say. Or is that geeky?

[matt_mcl]

Actually, geeks are not synonymous with nerds. Geeks are a subculture; nerds are just people.